PHOTOS: National Night Out on Mercer Island

Led by Emergency Preparedness Officer Jennifer Franklin of the and a cadre of local crime prevention volunteers, neighborhoods across the Island closed off their streets to traffic and threw "National Night Out" block parties Tuesday night.

Apart from the obvious fun of an outdoor barbecue on a summer evening, Franklin said the purpose of the event was to meet their neighbors, organize emergency preparedness measures and talk with police officers and city officials about what they could do as neighbors to help each other out in the face of the unexpected. 

"It's good to see everyone getting more prepared and getting to know each other," Franklin said. "That's really what it's all about."

Mercer Island Patch rode along with MIPD Operations Commander Dave Jokinen and Mayor Bruce Bassett to visit several block parties on First Hill and East Seattle — including a large gathering of 70 or more at , organized by — to hang out and enjoy a beautiful summer evening that would leave everyone feeling more knowledgeable and secure. 

Please share your pictures from the event with us, too.